ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Even diehard Michigan football fans might have been caught off guard on Saturday.
Position changes, trick plays and lots of shuffling highlighted the Wolverines’ spring game at Michigan, the first glimpse of Jim Harbaugh’s team in 2022.
The Blue team won the game, 20-12, but the result on a day like this is rather inconsequential. The defending Big Ten champions were split up this week via draft, assigned to a team, and sent out to play a competitive, 48-minute game that was broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.
That means lot quirky changes, shuffling of potential starting rotations and players out of position. Not to mention, lots of extended time for backups and underclassmen.
Saturday’s game marked the 14th and second-to-last practice of spring for the Wolverines, who will conclude their 15-practice schedule allowed under NCAA rule next week.
Game observations
• Starting quarterback Cade McNamara was the rare player in all-white on Saturday (everyone else was assigned to the maize or blue team), and played a total of four drives, two for both teams. He finished a combined 3 for 7 for 16 yards and was rather limited, as expected.
Walk-on Davis Warren took plenty of snaps, going 12 of 23 for 175 yards, and was the standout player behind center. His arm strength was apparent, as was his decision making and mobility. Warren’s only real mistake was an overthrown pass near the end zone. We’ve heard good things about him in spring, and he showed up for the spring game.
Alan Bowman (9 of 19 for 100 yards, 2 TD) took the second-most snaps at quarterback, and delivered a beautiful 65-yard touchdown pass to freshman wideout Darrius Clemons. Backup J.J. McCarthy did not line up behind center.
Replay: Live updates from U-M football’s spring game
• The offensive lines early on were a mixture of familiar names and faces, with starters Ryan Hayes, Trevor Keegan, Zak Zinter and Trente Jones all getting time on their respective teams. Olusegun “Olu” Oluwatimi, the grad transfer center from Virginia, was saw his first snaps as a Wolverine.
Interestingly enough, there was a point in the first quarter when Zinter snapped the ball at center. No position change is expected, but NFL teams look for versatility up front — and Zinter is widely regarded as Michigan’s next star lineman.
• Could there be a new running back? We’ve written about receiver Mike Sainristil and his transition to defensive back, but here’s a new one: Linebacker Kalel Mullings had four carries at running back, rushing for 36 yards, including a 21-yard run.
Redshirt freshman Tavierre Dunlap added 18 carries and 73 yards, including a touchdown.
• Speaking of Sainristil, he started in the slot for the Maize team (wearing No. 0) as a fifth defensive back and had a pass breakup on the very first throw of the game. He looked good on the play, too, almost full step ahead of wideout Andrel Anthony. If that’s any indication of his spring, Sainristil could be a legitimate two-way threat for Michigan this fall.
• True freshman Will Johnson got the start at cornerback for the Blue team, confirming an early assessment that he could be in the mix for playing time in the fall. Other true freshmen saw time in the second quarter, including defensive end Derrick Moore (Blue) and corner Myles Pollard (Blue).
More: Colin Kaepernick named honorary captain for Michigan’s spring game
• Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and linebacker Michael Barrett both notched sacks for the Maize team, the highlights of a defensive-minded game (as you might expect at this point). There were nine drives that ended three-and-out.
• The Blue team busted out some trickery on Saturday, beginning in the first half when Bowman delivered a lateral pass to tight end Erick All, who then connected down field on a pass to freshman tight end Colston Loveland. Tight end to tight end. Would you be surprised when we told you Sherrone Moore, Michigan’s former tight ends coach, was the head coach of the Blue team?
Then, the second half saw a reverse to receiver Darrius Clemons, who delivered a pass to walk-on tight end Max Bredeson.
• Neither of Michigan’s key special teams players, placekicker Jake Moody and punter Brad Robbins, were available. That left backups Rhett Anderson and Tommy Doman to handle a bulk of the work, with Anderson going 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts and Doman punting a total of seven times.
• Of course, it wouldn’t be a spring game without a bit of comedy. Jim Harbaugh, acting as commissioner, at one point overruled the officials and made a personal foul penalty call. He also made a rule in the extended, 15-minute fourth quarter that also judgment calls could be reviewed.
• A potential short-list of captains this fall? Nikhai Hill-Green, Blake Corum, Mike Morris and Ryan Hayes represented the Blue team as captains for the pre-game coin toss, while Luke Schoonmaker, Joel Honigford, Mazi Smith and Mike Sainristil were there on behalf of the Maize team.
They were joined, of course, by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was named honorary captain for the game. Kaepernick also took part in a half-time throwing exhibition, broadcasted live on Big Ten Network.
Read more Michigan football coverage from MLive:
A.J. Henning looks to emerge in crowded wide receiver room
Grant Newsome had his football career derailed at Michigan. Now he’s found his calling as coach
Where’s the pass rush going to come from? Michigan looks inside for help
Michigan has new DC, but expect similar-looking defense in 2022
Taylor Upshaw wants to be that guy for Michigan
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